Professors Frank Bress, Lawrence Grosberg, Richard Marsico
Introduction to what lawyers do in practice. Begins with an intensive examination of how to read appellate court opinions. Students study the common law doctrine of stare decisis, learn to identify the holding and rationale of a judicial opinion, and explore how facts are integrated into the court’s legal analysis and how lawyers and judges use findings of facts, law, or both, to expand or contract the scope of a judicial ruling. Thereafter, through role-playing techniques, videotapes, and lectures, in the context of a specific contract dispute, students explore what is involved in conducting an initial client interview, interviewing and assessing witnesses, counseling a client, and preparing for a possible out-of-court settlement. Students are responsible for gathering and analyzing facts, assessing various legal documents (such as the plaintiff’s complaint, the defendant’s response and motion for summary judgment, witness depositions, and case law) and for strategically integrating facts and law in an ongoing case file. Grades are based on required writing exercises and a final examination.